What was I thinking? When it comes to my 17-year old son Jack and his autism, I ask myself this question a lot. I asked it when we let him paddleboard across the lake one summer. And the year we pulled him from public school. Whenever we pull up to a bowling alley, a crowded […]
Hi. My name is Carrie. I am married to a man named Joe. We have four boys and one daughter. Our second son, Jack, is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is seventeen. Let me tell you a few things about my husband Joe. He doesn’t have a middle name. He loves babies. He gives […]
Oh, excuse me, I’m sorry. He has autism. Well, that doesn’t mean he gets to go ahead of us! He has to wait his turn. It was a hot summer day, and the line was long. Most of the kids were waiting patiently. Sure, there was the occasional fidget and whine about how much longer […]
“Joseph Cariello,” the moderator announced, “Congratulations on a great spring season.” The boy stood from his seat, adjusted his glasses, and climbed the steps to the stage. Dressed in khaki pants and a plaid shirt, he stood tall, with confidence. Watching him, my heart swelled with pride for who he is, and who he […]
There is an old proverb that goes like this: Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. Jack, the fact is, you have autism. The fact is, every year one out of fifty-four children are diagnosed […]
Hi. My name is Carrie. I have five kids, and my second son is diagnosed with autism. His name is Jack, and he was born on Mother’s Day seventeen years ago. Technically speaking, he is a junior in high school. Six months ago, we signed Jack up for a 3-week summer program at a nearby […]
The other day, my 17-year old son Jack asked me to drop him off at Walgreens so he could buy a couple of things. He planned to use his debit card, and when he was finished, walk across the parking lot to the restaurant where he works. To many, this doesn’t seem like a big […]
Every year I write each of my children a letter on their birthday. It describes the person they are at that particular age; their likes and dislikes, favorite activities, and overall temperament. This letter is to my son Jack, as he turns seventeen. Dear Jack, Today, you are seventeen. My second child, my Sunday son, my rule-breaker, […]
Pssst, hey you. Yes, you. The Mama whose brain is a catalogue of shoe sizes, permission slips, meatball recipes, and social stories. The woman trying to balance marriage/motherhood/autism and the cart in the grocery store. I see you. I hear you I am you. My name is Carrie. I have five kids. My second son, Jack, […]
